A Renewable Light Unto the Nations

The Jewish imperative to use environmental knowledge for the benefit of humanity.

It seems ironic that Tu b’Shvat, the Jewish holiday celebrating trees and nature, falls in the dead of winter. A cynic might explain the timing as appropriate in light of Judaism’s “cold” embrace of environmental issues which don’t always rank too high on our communal agenda. We can even justify our scorn of all things green by pointing to the seemingly anti-environmentalist teaching in Pirkei Avot (3:9):

Rabbi Shimon would say: One who walks along a road and studies, but interrupts his studying to say, "How beautiful is this tree! How beautiful is this plowed field!" – Scripture considers it as if he had forfeited his life.

There is a perception that Judaism has a conflict between His word vs. His world. A deeper look at our sources, however, reveals an inspiring intersection of Torah and Teva (nature):

The Book of Genesis describes God proudly looking upon His creation and declaring it “very good.” Man is created and immediately charged with caring for creation: “And God placed man in the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it” (Genesis 2:15). Rabbi Norman Lamm identifies two aspects emerging from this verse: Man has been appointed an “oved,” a worker who builds and crafts, as well as a “shomer,” a guardian who “is obligated to keep the world whole for its true Owner, and is responsible to return it in no worse condition than he found it.”

We have the unique ability and urgent responsibility to care for the natural resources that God created.

The Torah prohibition of Bal Tashchit (lit: Do not waste) is an expression of our duty as a guardian. The Torah (Deut. 20:19) calls for the preservation of fruit trees during times of war. Maimonides (Wars 6:10) makes clear that the prohibition has a much broader application. As he points out:“ This principle applies not only to trees. Whenever someone destroys a useful artifact, rips clothing, demolishes a building, plugs up a spring or senselessly destroys food, he violates Bal Tashchit.”

Similarly, the Sefer HaChinuch (#529) sees in Bal Tashchit the definition of what it means to be a good person: “This is the way of the righteous and those who improve society... that nothing, not even a mustard seed, should be lost... if possible they will prevent any destruction that they can. Not so are the wicked who rejoice in the destruction of the world.”

If our obligation as “guardian” includes the prohibition of Bal Tashchit, then “oved” describes our positive role as a worker and fabricator. Especially in today’s climate of environmental concerns, we have the unique ability, and urgent responsibility, to be an “oved” and to take the natural resources that God created and improve upon them for the benefit of humanity.

Putting it into Practice

It is therefore a great source of pride, and a Kiddush Hashem (bringing honor and respect to God), that some of the most exciting breakthroughs in clean technology are currently being developed by Jews in Israel.

• Energy – In addition to its chronic water shortage, the State of Israel has also faced a perpetual energy crisis. Unable to rely on its oil-rich neighbors for energy, Israel has looked to the heavens to provide an alternative solution. Abundant Israeli sunshine led to the early adoption of solar water heaters, but cutting-edge R&D has now advanced Israel well beyond the “dud shemesh” which sit atop 90% of Israeli homes. A Jerusalem-based solar company, BrightSource Energy, recently began to build the world’s largest solar energy project in Southern California, which will produce enough energy for 140,000 homes, doubling the amount of solar electricity currently produced in the United States.

Israel is also working to end the world’s dangerous addiction to Arab oil. While electric vehicles are now available in many countries, Israel has taken the first groundbreaking step to build an extensive network of battery exchange stations and plug-in charge spots for electric vehicles. Its small size makes Israel the perfect test market for this revolutionary concept that can transform the transportation industry. Originally conceived as an idea to make the world “a better place,” founder Shai Agassi has promised that Better Place will be the biggest international brand to come out of Israel since Jaffa oranges.

• Water – Nearly one billion people throughout the world – about one in eight – lack access to clean water. More people die each year from water-borne diseases than through armed conflict (see: water.org) , so finding a solution to this global threat is among the most pressing issues facing the world today. The Jewish State currently leads the international community in water conservation and desalination, purifying and reusing 75% of its waste water each year for agricultural use. (The second-most efficient nation, Spain, recycles only 12% of its water!)

A leaky pipe was dripping droplets of water onto the tree’s roots.

A turning point in Israeli water conservation occurred in the 1930s when a Polish immigrant noticed a tree growing in the Negev desert, “without water.” Simcha Blass dug around the tree and uncovered a leaky pipe dripping tiny droplets of water onto its roots. Blass went on to develop drip irrigation (netafim.com), now a multi-million-dollar Israeli export responsible for saving thousands of lives in Third World countries.

Another Israeli startup has developed a material that attracts and retains dew. Shaped into trays and placed around crops, this material will take the dew that forms overnight and funnel it directly onto the plant and its roots. Field tests promise enormous water savings, reducing the irrigation water needed for crops by 50 percent. The company is named Tal-Ya, meaning "God’s dew."

• Trees – The State of Israel is one of only two countries in the world that ended the 20th century with more trees than it started with, thanks to the efforts of the Jewish National Fund in planting more than 240 million trees. This incredible achievement brings new life to the ancient words of the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 25:3):

Rabbi Yehuda ben Shimon began, “You shall emulate the Lord your God.’ Is it possible for flesh and blood to emulate the Almighty?... What this means is that in the beginning [of creation], God engaged in planting; similarly “You shall come into the Land, and you shall plant.”

Many of the serious environmental concerns that now face the global community – scarcity of water, addiction to oil, and degradation of arable land – have confronted the State of Israel since its inception. Applying Jewish ingenuity to our biblical mandate to “work and guard the land” is now providing the answers to some of the worlds most pressing problems.

The prophet Isaiah wrote long ago that one day, "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom" (Isaiah 35:1). Our generation has been privileged to witness not only the miracle of the blooming of Israel’s deserts, but the emergence of the Jewish State as a global leader in environmental innovation. Concern for the environment helps bring the Torah to life and, to paraphrase Isaiah, casts the Jewish people as a “renewable” light unto the nations.

Visitor Comments: 10

(7)
Tatyana,
February 8, 2012 2:04 AM

I'm so glad that you're in Israel!

This is beautiful, right to the point. I hope that your very important message will reach as many people as possible. The article with all the information shows who we Jews REALLY ARE: loving and caring people. I'm proud to be a Jew and proud of YOU! Thank you.

(6)
Jeffrey Bookman,
February 8, 2012 1:09 AM

Unlike most so called environmental projects the Israeli Ones you mention are very Practical and impactful -a very typical characteristic of things Israeli. How much more benefit the world could derive from Israel if only...

(5)
Anonymous,
February 7, 2012 5:19 PM

I loved this entire article from The Garden of Eden to the Netfim, and electric cars. Israel is the best in my eyes especially only being 62 yrs old. BUT, its far from perfect ..people hardly recycle, there is garbage all over the streets and beaches and people that smoke continue to drop their butts and the last ... why not pick up after your pets?

(4)
Sister Paula Gonzalez,
February 6, 2012 2:12 PM

Thanks, Tuly - I am learning more each day.

Hi Tuly, It's clear that in the short time you have been in Israel your creative and energetic commitment to our Earth is blossoming. I view Israel 365 every day and enjoy it greatly. Shalom! Paula Gonzalez, SC

(3)
ruth housman,
February 6, 2012 11:09 AM

environmental renewal: re 'burth'

Thank you for a wonderful article on a topic rarely seen on Aish & other Jewish pages and yet to me one of the most important areas of focus!
I believe the 'greening' of desert is actually the key to the expansion of land needed to house and sustain people in the Middle East-- the 'solution', Mayim being solution. But who will listen to a voice, one small voice, in this wilderness?
It is just as you say, a miracle happened here-- in Israel and it could expand if people opened their hearts and minds to what could be... the Promise of the desert in bloom.

(2)
mike,
February 6, 2012 10:21 AM

nature worship

"Environmental responsibility" today too often means placing "nature" above human values. It becomes the opposite of "be fruitful and multiply settle the earth and conquor it". [The very first commandment!] Many advocates for the environment want fewer people living in fewer places. (They call it "sustainability".) They hate anything that allows more and more human beings to thrive and live decent lives. Their ideal is barren, pristine, unpopulated wilderness.
We should make it clear that our committment to envrionmental responsbility and not wreaking needless destruction on our world is not at the expense of our mandate to populate, master and build the world, or else we are just pandering to the Mother Earth worshippers. We should not take a "we care about the environment too" approach to kiruv, lest we misrepresent what Torah is really saying.

Rachel,
February 6, 2012 3:30 PM

Your definition of sustainability is wrong

Sustainability does not mean "few people living in fewer places". Rather, it means population density in some areas, so that others can be left open. And Jewish communities tend to be in clusters so that people will have access to shul on Shabbat when they do not drive nor use public transportation. Furthermore, this proximity to our neighbors is more likely to lead us to care for each other and for our common issues than if we each lived way off in the country on individual families' acres of land. Leaving some areas untouched -- whether its a few acres for a park or many square miles of undeveloped lands for natural and environmental reasons -- makes life far more livable for far more people and the other species Hashem created.

ignatz,
February 7, 2012 9:01 PM

"sustainability" is what's wrong

It's yet another entry point for centralized government (historically the enemy of the Jewish people) to tell people how to live based on fleeting and hubristic notions about what would be "better." In truth, we have no idea what would be better, even in the short run. We can't even manage the animal populations in our national parks, so where do we get the nerve to tell our fellow humans where and how to live? I'm sure Al Gore would be pleased if we lived in rustic wooden shacks (like the Unabomber did before he was caught), but there's nothing Jewish about his program. What's really "unsustainable" is a Klal Yisroel that has lost its connection to Hashem! Let's get back to work on our real mission and not be distracted by the modern Druids.

Rachel,
February 8, 2012 11:07 PM

We VOTE for leaders to develop sensible sustainability policies

Actually, we have scientific evidence about many things that would be "better". And in a democracy, we vote (usually for representatives, but sometimes even directly) for policies that will be best for the majority. I'm not sure what you think either Al Gore or the Unabomber have to do with your argument. I live in a county (hardly a "centralized government" and definitely not an enemy of the Jewish people) in suburban Maryland with high environmental standards and policies for sustainable growth at the local level. Zoning standards prohibit huge apartment buildings on single-family-home sites. Organizations and individuals are prohibited from dumping hazardous chemicals that will leak into everyone's air and water. It's not a perfect system, but I'd rather live here than next to a toxic waste dump.

(1)
Ignatz,
February 5, 2012 9:28 PM

Yes, but......

Environmental issues actually rank too high on many agendas! Here in the U.S., we already spend tens of billions of dollars every year chasing theoretical environmental benefits, but the demands for more never stop. We're shutting down our power plants while holding our oil and gas reserves off-limits to exploration and development. We're chasing our remaining manufacturing jobs off-shore while subsidizing poorly run companies that claim to be "green." We have light bulbs that make every home look like a hospital and dishwashing detergents that don't clean the dishes. All this in the name of being "good for the planet." This isn't the Jewish way at all (see Bereshit 1:28); it's some vaguely Neo-Druid program. What's neeed, of course, is balance, judgment, and perspective. Too bad most of the environmentalists have none to offer.